THE team responsible for restructuring a Keighley business which has gone into administration says all 150 jobs at the firm have been saved.

Andrew Andronikou and Paul Zalkin, of corporate recovery and business advisory firm Quantuma, were appointed joint administrators of British Thornton ESF Ltd, South Street, on April 4.

They said all 150 jobs had been saved at the company, which specialises in making furniture for the education sector, after they accepted an offer from the company’s existing management.

Keighley MP John Grogan said: “British Thornton, which last year celebrated its 50th anniversary, is an important employer in Keighley.

“The company has an international reputation for producing top-quality furniture for schools.

“This deal, negotiated in a matter of 48 hours, should hopefully guarantee the future of the workforce.”

A spokesman for Quantuma said its administrators had conducted an “accelerated marketing process”, during which period they brokered and completed a deal to save 150 jobs in a business sector that had seen a significant decline in the UK.

She added: “This company was originally founded in 1969 and has established itself – notwithstanding its financial difficulties in recent years – as one of the UK’s leading school furniture manufacturers.”

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Mr Andronikou said: “During the past year the business has experienced severe trading conditions in a very competitive marketplace where margins are being continually eroded.

“Although the business re-financed on more than one occasion and benefited from a recent change in ownership and management, the accumulated debt burden prejudiced its continued trading.

“We quickly established that the core business was viable and, more importantly, produced quality products which its customer base clearly was pleased with and accordingly pledged their continued support.

“After close examination of the options available, we accepted an offer from the company’s existing management.

“Although they have only been in office for a relatively short period, they have developed a close working knowledge of the business. Also, they have the confidence of the business’s customers and suppliers.”